Facebook copyright hoax goes viral...again

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Tuesday, October 18, 2016
A screenshot shows people are once again sharing a totally bogus Facebook post that some believe offers copyright protection to their content on the social media platform.
Facebook

Don't be fooled Facebook users, that copyright message you see making the rounds on your news feed is still totally bogus.

The last time it made the rounds was in September 2015, but once again people are sharing a message that claims to put copyright protections on users' posts if they share the message.

Here is what the post typically looks like:

"Deadline tomorrow!!! Everything you've ever posted becomes public from tomorrow. Even messages that have been deleted or the photos not allowed. It costs nothing for a simple copy and paste, better safe than sorry. Channel 13 News talked about the change in Facebook's privacy policy. I do not give Facebook or any entities associated with Facebook permission to use my pictures, information, messages or posts, both past and future. With this statement, I give notice to Facebook it is strictly forbidden to disclose, copy, or distribute, or take any other action against me based on this profile and/or its contents. The content of this profile is private and confidential information. The violation of privacy can be punished by law (UCC 1-308- 1 1 308-103 and the Rome Statute). Note: Facebook is now a public entity. All members must post a note like this. If you prefer, you can copy and paste this version. If you do not publish a statement at least once it will be tactically allowing the use of your photos, as well as the information contained in the profile status updates. DO NOT SHARE. Copy and paste to be on the safe side."

But the message is not true. As Facebook explained to ABC News when it went viral before, the social networking site does not own your photos.

"Under our terms (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms), you grant Facebook permission to use, distribute, and share the things you post, subject to the terms and applicable privacy settings," a spokesperson explained at the time.

Just like last time, not everyone is falling for the bogus listing. Some people are poking fun at the copyright notices.

In 2015, Facebook itself also addressed the hoax in a post.

If you are concerned about protecting the privacy of your content on Facebook, you can learn more and adjust your privacy settings by clicking the lock icon in the upper-right corner of their page.